Living: Island Style

The Built and Natural Environments of Iceland

Living: Island Style is an ongoing project that aims to expose the wonderfully unique architecture of Iceland and the history behind it. Owing to its location near the Arctic circle and the unparalleled environmental conditions faced by settlers, Iceland's architecture evolved to form distinct styles that aren't found anywhere else on earth.

By combining photographic and digital art-based techniques, the project seeks to show these incredible pieces of architecture as they've never been seen before.

I've included (below) a small selection of the images I have created thus far for the project. As I take additional trips and finish processing more images, I'll be releasing a series of fine art books containing the images and commentary about the social and architectural history of Iceland.

The sleek Reykjanesvirkjun power station rises quietly out of the expanse of twisted lava fields on the Reykjanes Peninsula, Much of Iceland's electricity is generated through stations similar to this one.

Interior of restored kitchen, which would have been a typical upper class residence in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

A typical farmouse near Akureyri, bathed in warm sunset light towards the end of a summer day.

Bláakirkja (Blue Church) in Seyðisfjörður, above, was built with corrugated iron siding and encapsulates many common Icelandic architectural qualities.

Blönduóskirkja, in Blönduos, designed by Dr. Maggi Jónsson and consecrated in 1993, as designed to resemble an erupting volcano.

Saurbærkirkja, near Akureyri, is one of the best-preserved turf churches in Iceland and the only one that has not undergone significant restoration since its construction in 1858.

Reflecting the midnight sun of Skagafjörður in its windows, this modern residence near Hof is a beautiful example of present-day residential architecture in Iceland.

Finished and consecrated in 1887, the windblasted church at Hvalsnes is built with squared stones taken from the site of the famed volcano Hekla and driftwood from the Atlantic Ocean, which is only a few hundred feet from the church itself.

Facing the enormous glacial tongues of Vatnajökull, the stark modernist architecture of Bjarnaneskirkja coupled with the landscape creates a setting that is nothing short of surreal.

Interior of typical turf-roofed croft home, common in Iceland until the mid 20th century.

Preserved turf huts at Glaumbær, showing the exterior of a traditional Iceland turf home. This particular example was inhabited until the mid 1940s.

Hallgrímskirkja, the largest church in Iceland, was designed by state architect Guðjón Samúelsson to resemble the basalt lava flows common throughout the country. It took 38 years to build, and is one of the most recognizable (and most photographed!) landmarks in Iceland.

In Hofsós, a sleek and modern pool sits perched at the edge of the earth with an infinity edge all around. Built into the edge of the cliffs of Skagafjörður, the minimalist architecture ensures that nothing comes between you and the serenity of overlooking your own personal slice of the Arctic.

Svartsengi, another one of Iceland's geothermal energy plants, is situated near Reykjavik and is surrounded billowing clouds as superheated steam meets the cold Icelandic dusk.